Confusion over message to Kodi users

Happy girl listening to something on a tablet in the bedroom at home (Image: iStockphoto)

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VIEWERS using the open-source software Kodi were left puzzled at the weekend.

It comes after visitors to the official kodi.tv website were met with what seemed to be a warning from the US Department of Justice.

The message claimed that the site had been seized by the authorities.

Until noon on Saturday, people who visit the site were told: “This domain name has been seized by ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, pursuant to a seizure warrant by a United States District Court under the authority of 18 U.S.C 981 and 2323.”

The Kodi website message

It continued: “Willful copyright infringement is a federal crime that carries penalties for first time offenders of up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine forfeiture and restitution (17 U.S.C 506, 18 U. S. C 2319). Intentionally and knowingly trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime that carries penalties for first time offenders of up t ten years in federal prison, a $2,000,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution (18 U. S. C 2323).”

“Hardly a day goes past without the Kodi brand getting dragged into the mud somewhere, and it is a continuous and thankless task to push back on that across this forum, Facebook, Twitter, and the press.”

It added: “ So, let’s be clear: Kodi does not provide content. It never has, and it never will. However, in the spirit and freedom of open source, we make no limitations on what other people choose to do with the program. “

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They’re worried about punters sidestepping the likes of Sky and BT Sport who each pay billions for the rights to broadcast the matches.

And, with bidding for next season’s broadcasting rights on the horizon, the Premier League is partnering up with internet service providers (ISPs) to try and stop the spread of so-called “Kodi boxes” around the country.

The Premier League is currently engaged in its largest ever anti-piracy campaign to protect its copyright.

This campaign includes raids across the north-west in which five people were arrested for selling the boxes. And this month, Judge Richard Arnold granted a high court order for ISPs to block access to online servers.